Survival rates and movements of British and Continental Woodcock Scolopax rusticola in the British Isles.

Abstract

The ring recoveries of Woodcock ringed in the British Isles were analysed with those ringed abroad and recovered in the British Isles during the period 1909-1990. The annual adult survival rate for British-ringed Woodcock was estimated as 58±2% (±se) and first-year survival was estimated as 47±2% (±se). These survival rates require an annual production of 1.8 fledged chicks per adult female to maintain a stable population.
Most British-ringed Woodcock exhibit fidelity to the natal area in winter and subsequent breeding seasons, although in winter c.13% move to Ireland and c.4% to mainland Europe. These movements were not associated with cold weather and it is probable that a small component of the British Woodcock population is truly migratory.
Continental Woodcock visiting Britain originate from Finland and, to a lesser extent, from Sweden and Norway. They first arrive in October and move rapidly south-west so that the proportion of foreign-ringed to British-ringed birds in winter is highest in southern England and Wales. Some Continental Woodcock remain in Britain until mid-April but there is no evidence that any stay to breed. The majority of Woodcock shot in Britain are foreign-bred birds.